School will be soon back in session, and that includes training for sports and other after school activities. Nutrition is extremely important for students' growing minds and bodies. Many of us have children who participate in extracurricular physical activities or competitive sports after school. As a parent, I want to offer my children nutritious meals so they perform at their best both academically and during sporting events. Athletes are all about strength, efficiency of movement, energy and mental preparation.

During the winter months, some people may experience an overall lack of energy, depression and start feeling blue. This feeling may be due to seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD. Symptoms come and go at about the same time each year. Most people with SAD start to have symptoms in September or October and feel better by April or May. SAD affects 25 million Americans, most commonly women. Although much research has been done, it's not completely understood why it happens.

February is American Heart Month, dedicated to educating the public about heart health. Choosing to live a healthy lifestyle, including diet, nutrition and exercise, helps combat heart disease. You may have heard that a DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) dietary pattern that includes fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy and protein, predominantly from plant sources, is a commonly prescribed cardiovascular diet and is typically associated with decreases in blood pressure.

Halloween will soon be here, and whether you choose to have fun with some trick-or-treating, or decide to stay inside, we want you to have an engaging family mealtime. Treats can certainly be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle, but we don't want you to forget about the importance of balanced family meals that provide hearty nutrition to help fuel growing bodies and minds. Did you know that many children may be missing out on key nutrients such as iron and zinc?

Fall is here and many of us are looking for easy recipes that also provide hearty nutrition to help fuel an active and busy, yet healthful lifestyle. With some preparation the slow cooker, or crockpot, can be a solution to help ensure you have a delicious and nutritious meal ready for your family after a long day. Trying to get out the door for work in the morning and attempting to prepare a meal at the same time can be challenging. Thinking ahead and doing a few preparation steps the night before can help speed up the process.

Halloween will soon be here, and whether you choose to have fun with some trick-or-treating, or decide to stay inside, we want you to have an engaging family mealtime. Treats can certainly be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle, but we don't want you to forget about the importance of balanced family meals that provide hearty nutrition to help fuel growing bodies and minds. Did you know that many children may be missing out on key nutrients such as iron and zinc?

The sports season for South Dakota schools is in full swing. Student athletes who participate in competitive sports strive to be at their peak performance level. To reach this level, remember the importance of protein in the diet. If you think of your body as a machine, then muscles are the major moving parts that help sustain you during training and competitive events. Strong, healthy muscles are critical to your success.

The first week in August incorporated two of my favorite things, National Farmers’ Market Week and National Exercise with Your Child Week. What a great time to get outside, be physically active and take advantage of the abundant fresh fruits and vegetables. One of the best things about this time of the year is visiting the local markets and being able to purchase the freshest, in-season produce. After bringing home your bountiful produce treasures, you may be thinking about how to use them in a meal or two. Why not pair them with a favorite protein, such as lean beef?